POLITICS
AZERBAIJAN SPEAKER MEETS LITHUANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
Chairman of Azerbaijan`s Parliament Ogtay Asadov met with Lithuanian Minister of Defense Juozas Olekas.
Asadov said Azerbaijan places particular emphasis on development of relationships with Lithuania, which he noted was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan`s independence.
He stressed the role of the two presidents` mutual visits and talks in boosting Azerbaijan-Lithuania relations.
The Speaker said Azerbaijan is keen to cooperate with Lithuania in political, cultural, economic and humanitarian fields.
Asadov noted his country wants to benefit from Lithuanian’s Euroatlantic integration experience.
Ogtay Asadov also touched on successful cooperation between the two countries` parliaments.
The Azeri Speaker said his country is “an important bridge between Asia and Europe thanks to its transport and energy infrastructure”.
On the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Asadov noted it is the major threat to the region`s security and prosperity.
He expressed his gratitude to Lithuanian government for supporting Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Lithuanian Minister of defense Juozas Olekas said he had fruitful meetings with Azeri officials while in Baku.
He said Lithuania attaches great importance to its relationship with Azerbaijan.
Olekas stressed his country is ready to share its European integration experience with Azerbaijan.
Head of the Azerbaijan Parliament`s standing commission on security and defense Ziyafat Agarov, Head of the Parliament Apparatus Safa Mirzayev and other officials were among those in attendance at the meeting.